ANNEX II
11April 2007
LETTER FROM LACORS TO FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY
Response to EC proposal to amend
Article 5 of Regulation (EC) 852/2004
The Local Authorities Co-ordinators
of Regulatory Services (LACORS) is an established organisation
that aims to facilitate best practice in the enforcement of the
regulatory services provided by local authorities. LACORS works
to influence regulatory legislation to ensure that the requirements
of local authorities are understood when national and EC policy
is considered.
LACORS works with all local authorities
across Great Britain in a number of key policy areas. The organisation
specifically supports and represents local authorities trading
standards and environmental health services, both of which are
at the forefront of food, feed and animal health enforcement.
The suggested amendment
The suggested amendment as summarized
on the Food Standards Agency's website (at http://food.gov.uk/foodindustry/regulation/europeleg/euupdates/euhygiene0704)
is of great concern to local authority officers involved in the
application of food hygiene legislation across the UK, as we imagine
it will be to officials at the Food Standards Agency. We are pleased
therefore that the Food Standards Agency's (FSA) will be representing
the UK in the Council Working Group meeting which I understand
will take place on 13 April, and we hope our response set out
below will assist.
The response is based on views
of the LACORS Food Hygiene Focus Group whose consensus UK view
is that this amendment is unnecessary and would not assist local
authority enforcers in their work to maintain and improve food
safety and consumer confidence in food. The reasons for this position
have been outlined below.
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